Floyd Howard Gould (M)
b. 3 June 1907, d. 16 April 1974
Pedigree
Family_Line=G
Res_Rqrd=Y

     Floyd Howard Gould was born on 3 June 1907 at Rapid River, Michigan, son of Charles Edwin Gould and Bertha Rosalia Decker.^2,1,3,4

Floyd Howard Gould was enumerated with Charles Edwin Gould on the census of 16 April 1910 at 206 Water Street, Boyne City, Michigan, as Floyd H. Gould. Listed as 2 years old, born in Michigan as was his mother whereas his father in New York.⁵


Floyd Howard Gould was enumerated with Charles Edwin Gould on the census of 9 January 1920 at 114 South Jefferson Street, Muskegon, Michigan, as Floyd. Listed as 12 years old, born in Michigan also mother born in Michigan and father born in New York, can read and write and attending school, can speak English, occupation is 'none'.⁶
He began military service on 18 October 1926 with the at US Navy Recruiting Station, Detroit, Michigan, as an Apprentice Seaman.^7,8

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Seaman Second Class in USS Procyon, San Pedro, California, on 22 March 1927.⁷

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed for Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) in repair ship USS Medusa (AR-1) on 26 August 1927.⁷ He was returned to station in San Pedro on 30 September 1927.⁷

Floyd married Nell Elizabeth Miles, daughter of Ernest Albert Miles and Elizabeth Melinda Jones, on 6 January 1930 at Los Angeles, California.⁹

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Signalman Second Class in submarine tender USS Argonne (AS-10), San Pedro, California, on 31 March 1931.⁷ He was awarded the US Navy Good Conduct Medal on 16 April 1931.⁷

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Signalman Second Class in auxillary ship USS Antares (AG-10), San Pedro, California, on 31 March 1933.⁷ At age 26, Floyd became the father of Caroline Elizabeth Gould on 24 June 1933 at San Pedro, California.

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Signalman Second Class in battleship USS Nevada (BB-36), San Pedro, California, on 30 September 1933.⁷

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed in USS Lark, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 31 December 1933.⁷ He was visited by Nell Elizabeth Gould and Caroline Elizabeth Gould who travelled via the Matson Lines SS Mariposa in February 1934 to Honolulu, Hawaii.¹⁰

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Signalman Second Class on General Detail in Receiving Ship, San Francisco, California, on 17 September 1935.⁷

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed as Signalman First Class in aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2), Bremerton, Washington, on 30 September 1935.⁷ He was awarded the US Navy Good Conduct Pin on 10 February 1937.⁷ He received invitations for a USS Lexington (CV-2) Christmas party from the Commanding Officer, Captain Leigh Noyes to be held with Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Dennis Carl Dilworth on 24 December 1937 at Service Men's Club, 416 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, California.¹¹ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles lived from January 1938 to June 1941 at 3327 Kaimuki Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii, with Yvonne Louise Gould and Caroline Elizabeth Gould.¹⁰ Floyd Howard Gould was also known as Boatswain Floyd Gould USN.

Boatswain Floyd Gould USN was stationed after appointment as Warrant Boatswain, in aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2), San Pedro, California, on 1 February 1938 with shipmate(s) Frank Claude Dilworth and John Sawula.⁷

Boatswain Floyd Gould USN was stationed in USS Keosanqua (AT-38) of Submarine Squardron Four, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, in December 1938. He was stationed as a Boatswain on 18 September 1941 in heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27), Honolulu, Hawaii. Chester carried four aircraft for two catapaults. Commanding Officer was Captain Thomas M. Shock, USN; class of 1913 at the Naval Academy.¹² Floyd was in Chester (CA-27) when it departed Pearl Harbor for fleet exercizes with USS Salt Lake City, USS Northhampton, USS West Virginia, USS Tennesee, USS Detroit, USS Enterprise and USS Arizona on 24 September 1941. Chester returned to Berth C-4, Pearl Harbor on 2 October 1941. At Honolulu.¹³ Floyd was in Chester when it departed Pearl Harbor 10 October 1941 at 17 knots for Manila, Phillipines via Guam in company with USAT Trasker H Bliss and USAT Holbrook. Chester arrived Pier 7 Manila 23 October and departed for Pearl Harbor on 29 October. At Honolulu.¹⁴ In late November, the Chester, along with USS Enterprise and two other cruisers, plus twelve destroyers, departed Pearl Harbor and went to Wake Island delivering planes fromthe carrier. The task force was scheduled to return to Pearl Harbor early on 6 December but was delayed by bad weather. Upon their return to Pearl Harbor on a bright sunny Sunday, 7 December 1941, the crew got the shocking news of the attack from Japan and could see the Harbor smoke. Chester entered Pearl Harbor on the morning of 9 December. For the next several weeks, Chester patrolled the waters around the Hawaiian Islands.^15,16 He witnessed the beginning of World War 2 with the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On Sunday, 7 December 1941. He and Nell Elizabeth Miles having moved there after leaving Hawaii from January 1942 to June 1945 at 216 Nieto Avenue, Long Beach, California.¹⁷ On 1 February 1942, Chester's main battery shelled one of the small (Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll) Marshall Islands' airfield and buildings. Some of the Japanese airplanes managed to take off. One of them dropped a small bomb on Chester's well deck causing a fire and leaving a large hole. Eight or nine crewmen were killed and elven to thirty eight injured. Chester returned to the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for repairs. When repairs were completed, the ship participated in Guadalcanal invasion preparations with aircraft carrier USS Lexington.^18,19,20 In May, 1942, Chester participated in the "Battle of the Coral Sea" with aircraft carriers Lexington and Yorktown. Crewmembers witnessed the sinking of the Lexington. Chester picked up 479 Lexington survivors. US Navy also lost one tanker, one destroyer and sixty-six aircraft. Chester was credited with downing eight Japanese aircraft. Following the battle, Chester was sent to the US for an overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California. Before the ship reached Mare Island, via San Diego, she was ordered back to the South Pacific for the Battle of Midway. Caroline Gould remembers seeing her father Floyd in Long Beach for a very short visit to Long Beach. The Midway battle was over before Chester reached it so Chester was ordered back to Mare Island to complete the scheduled overhaul. Caroline remebers driving with probably grandparents Miles, since Nell did not drive, to Northern California and staying at a motel to visit with Floyd.^21,10 He travelled while Chester was in San Diego, in May 1942 to Long Beach to visit Caroline Elizabeth Gould, Nell Elizabeth Miles and Yvonne Louise Gould.¹⁰ He was visited by Nell Elizabeth Miles who travelled to Northern California in July 1942 to an unknown place . Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Yvonne Louise Gould accompanied them.¹⁰ Floyd was understood by the family to have been injured when Chester was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-176, 120 miles southeast of San Cristobal, Solomons Islands. The Chester damage photograph supplied by the US Naval Institute appears to be well forward of amidships as reported elsewhere.^22,23,10
CHESTER was torpedoed amidship to starboard and limped back to Espiritu Santo for emergency repairs. Eleven crew members were killed in the torpedoeing. On 26 October the ship witnessed the sinking of the SS President Coolidge. Four hundred survivors were taken aboard the cruiser and later transferred to Espiritu Santo. Later CHESTER proceeded to Sutherland Drydock, Cockatoo Island, Sydney, Australia. She was there from 8 November until 25 December, leaving then on Christmas day for the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Virginia by way of Pago Pago, the Panama Canal and New York city.²⁴ Captain William H. Hartt, Jr. USN relieved Captain Shock as Chester Commanding Officer. Captain Hartt was from the US Naval Academy class of 1918.²⁵ Floyd was detached from duty in Chester in accordance with BuPers orders of 9 February, 1943. Ensign Gould previously reported back from 22 days of leave on 17 February. On 19 February 1943 at Norfolk, Virginia.²⁶ As of 12 November 1943, Floyd Howard Gould was also known as Floyd Gould USN.²⁷ Floyd reported for duty as Material Officer on 21 November 1943 at LST Flotilla Ten, Amphibious Training Base, Panama City, Florida.²⁷ Floyd Howard Gould was also known as Lieutenant Floyd Gould. He was stationed as first Commanding Officer of landing ship tank USS LST-926 on 20 July 1944 at Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts, Ship's company included eight other officers plus 104 enlisted men. Charles Rutter SK1 was the CO's talker (sound powered phones) on the bridge.

Crew was at the shipyard for about three weeks before the commissioning.^29,30,28,28 LST-926 passed through the Panama Canal into Pacific Ocean on 7 September 1944.³¹ LST-926 remained in San Diego Bay, California for five days after arriving 20 September 1944.³² LST-926 remained at Pearl Harbor for nine days after arriving 5 October 1944.³³ LST-926 remained at Eniwetok Atoll for only five hours after arriving on 26 October 1944.³³ Arriving 31 October 1944, LST-926 remained in Pt Apra Harbor for two days.³⁴ Arriving 4 November 1944, LST-926 remained anchored at Ulithi Atoll for eight days.³⁵ LST-926 arrived Humboldt Bay 16 November 1944 and anchored.³⁶ LST-926 departed Hunboldt Bay, New Guinea with Task Unit 76.4.1.³⁷ LST-926 arrived, then beached at Empress Augusta Bay on 28 November to load units of 37th Infantry Division. Embarked and disembarked 233 Army personnel on 1 December, then same for 190 Army personnel on 13 December. Departed Bougainville Island 15 December.³⁸ LST-926 arrived Lae, New Guniea on 18 December 1944 and then departed 20 December 1944.³⁹ LST-926 arrived Seadler Harbor, Manus Island then departed 27 December.³⁹ On the way to Lingayen Gulf, LST-926 fired at three enemy planes (range two miles) at 1827 on 7 January.

8 January: During continuing Japanese aerial onslaught on the Lingayen Gulf invasion force, kamikazes damage escort carriers Kitkun Bay (CVE-71), and Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). A suicider also crashes close aboard Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia, ending her support operations that day. US invasion of Luzon via the Lingayen Gulf started 9 January 1945. LST-926 arrived that same day. A Japanese suicide boat hit the ship next to them while in the Gulf.²⁸ Under the overall direction of General Douglas MacArthur, US Army, Task Force 77 (Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid) lands Sixth Army troops (Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, US Army) at Lingayen Gulf under cover of heavy gunfire from the bombardment force, Task Group 77.2 (Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf) and aircraft from the escort carrier force, TG 77.4 (Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin). The troops initially encounter little resistance, but Japanese air attacks and assault demolition boats continue to vex the invasion forces off the beaches. Kamikazes crash battleship Mississippi (BB-41), g;08'N, 120°18'E; light cruiser Columbia (CL-56), and destroyer escort Hodges (DE-231), in addition to Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia, which is finally sent to the rear areas for repairs. Friendly fire damages battleship Colorado (BB-45). Japanese assault demolition boats damage transport War Hawk (AP-168) and tank landing ships LST-925 and LST-1028.

10 January, Wed. -- Japanese assault demolition boats infiltrate the transport areas off Lingayen, sinking infantry landing craft (mortar) LCI(M)-974 and infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-365, and damaging destroyers Robinson (DD-562) and Philip (DD-498), transport War Hawk (AP-168) and tank landing ship LST-610. Japanese air attacks against the fleet off Lingayen continue, damaging destroyer Wickes (DD-578); kamikazes damage destroyer escort Leray Wilson (DE-414) and attack transport Dupage (APA-41).

11 January, Thu. -- Off Luzon, high speed transport Belknap (APD-34) is damaged by kamikaze; tank landing ships LST-270 and LST-918 are damaged by shore battery and tank landing ship LST-700 is damaged by friendly fire. U.S. destroyer gunfire sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Wa.10, south of Vigan. Auxiliary minesweeper No.56 Banshu Maru and auxiliary submarine submarine chaser Hakuyo Maru are scuttled as blockships at south entrance of Manila Bay, Luzon.

LST-926 fired at enmy planes also on 11 January at 1848 and 12 january at 0734.

13 January, Sat. -- Japanese kamikaze attacks against Lingayen Gulf invasion shipping culminate in suicide plane crashing and damaging escort carrier Salamaua (CVE-96).

LST-926 beached at Binnaley, Luzon at 1744 on 14 January near LST-660 and LST-675. Unloaded US Army units at the beach at 0453 on 15 January then retracted from beach at 1503, joining TG 78.11.7 underway.⁴⁰
LST-926 loaded 154 US Army personnel at White Beach, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Island on 20 January 1944. Departed White Beach at 1442 on 22 January 1945 joining TG 78.7.3 underway for Lingayen Gulf. Fireman McClung says the ship was attacked by the Japanese.^40,28 LST-926 then beached at San Fabian, Luzon on 27 January 1944. Unloaded US Army units on 28 January, then anchored in Lingayen Gulf. Departed Lingayen Gulf on 31 January with TU 78.11.13.⁴⁰ LST-926 arrived San Pedro Bay, Leyte Islan on 5 February, then departed 6 February.⁴¹ LST-926 arrived Seadler Harbor, Manus Island on 14 February, then departed on 17 February.⁴¹ LST-926 arrived Pepesala Bay on 17 February then moved to Sunlight Channel of Russels Island on 23 February. On 25 February took on board SeaBees and four pontoon barges. On 27 February moved to Hutchinson Creek, Florida Island, then on 28 February moved to Tulagi Harbor. Departed Tulagi Harbor on 1 March and moved to Kulcum Beach of Guadalcanal at 1440. On 2 March, moved to beach at Doma Cove and departed on 5 March with TU 53.3.3.⁴² LST-926 arrived Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomon Islands on 6 March and remained until 12 March 1945. Loaded 58th Construction Battalion of 11 officers and 175 enlisted men. Departed in accordance with ComFifthFleet OpPlan 1-45.⁴³ On 11 March LST-926 took on 58th SeaBee battalion (11 officers and 175 enlisted). Departed Purvis Bay on 12 March in accordance with Com5th Fleet OpPlan 1-45.⁴⁴ Arriving 21 March 1944, LST-926 moored in anchorage at Ulithi Island for several days.⁴³ LST-926 moved to Berth 208, Urishi Anchorage, Ulithi Island on 21 March.⁴⁴ Floyd was relieved of command of the USS LST-926 and transferred to USS Bountiful (AH-9) for hospitalization study and treatment in accordance with Form "G". Lt William R Bierdeman assumed command in accordance with instructions of Commander Task Unit 51.12. On 25 March 1945 at Ulithi Island.^45,46

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed for transportation to the United States for further hospitalization. In auxillary personnel ship USS General Omar Bundy (AP-152), at sea, on 20 April 1945.⁴⁷ He was stationed For hospitalization, transferred to Long Beach at his request. On 11 May 1945 at US Naval Hospital, San Diego, California.⁴⁸ He was stationed Transferred to Long Beach at his request. Survey Board recommended that he be retained at the hospital for further treatment. On 5 June 1945 at US Naval Hospital, Long Beach, California.⁴⁶ Floyd was Shipyard overhaul in 1946 at USS Natchoug, Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, California.¹⁰

Floyd Howard Gould was stationed for duty as Commanding Officer in auxillary tanker USS Natchoug (AOG-), San Pedro, California, in 1946.¹⁰ He was stationed Reported for duty as Transportation Officer. Only about six months due to closure of the base in 1946 at Mojave Air Base, California.¹⁰ Attended a family gathering in Hemet, California circa 1949.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles travelled by car from his station at Mohave, California in 1947 to Vernon, Texas to visit Roy Decker. Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Yvonne Louise Gould accompanied them.¹⁰ He was stationed as Transportation Officer in 1948 at NOTS China Lake, California.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Gould lived from 1948 to 1952 at 1857 Stearnlee Avenue, Long Beach, California, with Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Yvonne Louise Gould. While Floyd was stationed in Natchoug and elsewhere. This home was purchased and sold by Floyd and Nell for about $10,000.¹⁰ Floyd Howard Gould was also known as Chief Boatswain Floyd H. Gould. The family gathered at the Gould home on Stearnlee in Long Beach in 1949. Maude Gould, wife of Chas took the picture.¹⁰ He was stationed with unknown duties in 1950 in fleet tug USS Sotoyomo (AT-121), Seal Beach, California.¹⁰

Chief Boatswain Floyd H. Gould reported for duty as First Lieutenant in fleet tug USS Chickasaw (ATF-83), Treasure Island, San Francisco Bay, California, on 23 July 1950. The ship departed Treasure Island on 31 July for San Diego.⁴⁹

Chief Boatswain Floyd H. Gould in fleet tug USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) departed San Diego for Pearl Harbor after a five day stop in Long Beach on 7 September 1950. The ship arrived in Pearl Harbor on 14 September.⁴⁹

Chief Boatswain Floyd H. Gould in fleet tug USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) departed Pearl Harbor for Eniwetok, Marshall Islands after a ten day stop on 17 September 1950. The ship arrived in Eniwetok on 30 September towing the AFDL-3 with 1500' of towline. The AFDL-3 was carrying the YTL-308 and the LSU-716.⁴⁹

Chief Boatswain Floyd H. Gould in fleet tug USS Chickasaw (ATF-83) departed Eniwetok for Kwajalien, Marshall Islands after a three day stop on 3 October 1950. The ship arrived in Kwajelien on 5 October towing the AFDL-3 with 1500' of towline. The YTL-308 and the LSU-716 had been left at Eniwetok.⁴⁹ Floyd was detached on 11 October 1950 from the USS Chickasaw. He departed for the Pacific Reserve Fleet in San Diego, California.⁴⁹ He and Nell Elizabeth Gould sold home on property Lot 167 of Tract 14129, as per map in Book 305 Pages 48-50 at Long Beach on 19 October 1951. There is a mystery about how this sale took place prior to the purchase by Floyd and Nell.⁵⁰ He attended the burial of Ernest Albert Miles on 25 October 1951 at in the Valhalla Memorial Park located in North Hollywood, California.^51,10 He and Nell Elizabeth Gould bought home on property Lot 167 of Tract 14129, as per map in Book 305 Pages 48-50 at Long Beach on 1 November 1951. As trustees they were granted a Joint Tenancy Grant Deed from widow Bess M. Diggers.⁵² He was stationed in 1952 at US Fleet Activities, Inchon.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles lived in 1952 at 4656 Granger Street, San Diego, California, with Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Yvonne Louise Gould.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles lived from 1952 to 1957 at 5083 Debby Drive, San Diego, California, with Caroline Elizabeth Gould and Yvonne Louise Gould.¹⁰ Floyd and James Eugene Radja were sharing a room for several days (James was there for review of an albuminuria condition prior to promotion to Ltjg) on 1 June 1953 at US Naval Hospital, Corona, California.⁵³ He attended the marriage of Caroline Elizabeth Gould and James Eugene Radja on 29 August 1954 at North Island Chapel, San Diego, California.¹⁰ He was employed from 1 June 1956 to 1 June 1970 at the Navy Exchange, Naval Training Center, San Diego, California.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles lived circa __ ___ 1957 to ca 1967 at 7335 Ouro Place, La Mesa, California.¹⁰ He and Nell Elizabeth Miles lived circa __ ___ 1967 to ca 1974 at 3179 Driscoll Drive, San Diego, California.^54,10 He was awarded "a plaque in recognition of 14 years of dedicated service" upon his retirement on 1 June 1970 at San Diego.⁵⁵ Caroline Gould said that the Navy Exchange wanted Floyd to continue working, as did he, but some obscure regulation forced the retirement.¹⁰
Floyd,This was a Christmas greetings letter and expresses appreciation for a recent visit by Caroline to San Diego because of a recent heart attack. He mentions talking to Nelson Miles and Nelson's saxaphone playing and his 'combo' preparing for a New Year's Eve party., wrote a letter to Carol and James Eugene Radja on 22 December 1973 from San Diego.^56,10 He died of acute cardiac failure (determined by autopsy) on 16 April 1974 at San Diego at age 66. Floyd was a smoker most of his life, up until his death.⁵⁴ He was buried on 19 April 1974 in the El Camino Memorial Park located in San Diego, California. Attendees included Nell Elizabeth Gould, Carol Radja, Frank Claude Dilworth, Myrtle Julia Dilworth, Dennis Carl Dilworth, Bonnie Dilworth, Donna Louise Dilworth, Michael Carl Dilworth, Marilyn Elizabeth Moores, Charles Albert Moores, Norman Moores, Nelson Albert Miles, Harry Crossett Miles, Helen Grace Miles, Hank Powell, W.E. Jones, LCdr R.E. Means USN (Retired), Pete Clemons, Helen R. Coates, Velma R. Cardin, Anne Petterson, Pastor John W. Spann, Charles W. Ball, Jessie Baxter and David Swingle The service was held at the Clairemont Mortuary Chapel at 4266 Mt. Abernathy Avenue, San Diego. Some attendees were with their wives whose first names are not available: Mrs. Hank Powell, Mrs. W.E. Jones, Mrs. Charles W. Ball and Mrs. David Swingle.^57,58

Last Edited=24 Sep 2009